Welcome to the real world.
Just to start things off I will say that it has been great fun creating the Framptonos spoof and thank you to all who have said nice things about it.
I have been driving past the "New Frampton Court" development for some months now and have seen it grow. But I cannot say it really registered because I simply did not believe the evidence of my own eyes. Only recently have I come to recognise it for what it is - an architectural abomination of staggering inelegance; an alien intrusion into a village that, up until now, had enjoyed a gentle architecture of remarkable coherence. My characterisation of it as a holiday resort is far too kind. It looks more like the sort of building that Amnesty International would take an interest in.
The planning system seems to have gone seriously wrong here. I am told that Frampton Parish Council objected most strongly to the proposal and that there was considerable local opposition. However the project was supported by English Heritage and ultimately by West Dorset District Council. What either of these bodies were thinking of I cannot imagine. Sometimes artful models or artists impressions can give an optimistic spin on the most abysmal of projects but I have seen the artist's impression of this one and can tell you that it is faithful to the bleakness of the finished building.
When I asked permission to take the photos I asked the foreman if he had received any comments from local people. He said that indeed he had but that common decency prevented him from repeating any of them! Incidentally I tried to find the comments from locals and the parish council on WDDC web site (all such are posted as of late 2003). For some reason they are not there. WDDC has not been able to give, as yet, a satisfactory reason for their absence. I am sure that a sensible reason for this omission will be given soon.
Anyway, what do you think?
posted by John @ 2:14 pm
4 Comments:
I have tried to reconstruct the sort of conversation that must have gone on at English Heritage (their part in this is disputed at the moment)and at WDDC. Perhaps: "Well yes of course it is a rural location with a strong architectural tradition, but we cannot be hidebound by the past. Where would we be if the Georgians had resisted the innovators of their day?" But I am not convinced. Whilst one can think of numerous examples of decidedly modern architecture, both grand and modest, which look wonderful in the location chosen for them it is quite impossible to think of any location in which New Frampton Court would look good (although the bottom of the sea does spring to mind). In short, it is not just in the wrong place it is irredeemably awful, it lacks the slightest artistic merit and only a friendly meteorite will save the day.
In response to Heather, it always pays to contact the Echo first, as news agencies pick up on these stories and flog them to the nationals - the difference being that the stories have been written in a newsy way and they can see the 'angle' that would interest readers from other areas than Dorset. The nationals don't seem to take much notice of direct contact from the public unless it's put into a newsworthy form first. I know I work for the Echo, and am therefore biased, but we do care about the area whereas the nationals will swoop down, pick the carcass and fly off again. So give the reporters in Dorchester a call first and see if it can be pushed on nationally ater that. The council bods do all read the Echo, so you know the message gets through, at any rate!
Thanks Heather. Miranda is right about news agencies. I spent a fair amount of yesterday and today on the phone and sending emails to a news agency in Bournemouth that picked up the story from the Echo. Can't be sure but there seems a fair chance that it will end up in the nationals, probably the Mail.
There is nothing much that can be done about the buildings now but if enough shame is spread around the District Councillors will have to think long and hard before riding rough shod over the opinions of local people again.
By the way, we have Miranda to thank for getting it in the Echo in the first place.
For future reference (God forgive their should be the need):
Form a campaign group
Give it a name
Formulate your protestations
Write a Press Release (proforma from the Press Association)
Disseminate all together via e-mail to the all the Local Press (3?) and national media of your choice (including itv, bbc south or west (whichever area your TV covers)and copy to responsible individual members of the committees DC, WDDC and so on.
Nice effort anyway!
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